Wanzami,(Wanzam or Wanzan) is a local barber, traditional healer, medicine man, circumciser and a physician in Hausaland. Wanzanci, as the occupation is called, is one of the oldest professions in Hausaland.
The work a wanzami does is very vital in society. A wanzan is held in the same regards as a doctor back in the days. He is usually the first call when a baby is born, removal of tonsilitis or when there is a serious illness.
Always seen on the roadside or under the shade of a tree, the Wanzami also performs other services like cupping using a horn, treatment of Wicklow, carving out tribal marks and the rest.
How Wanzamci is Done
While everyone can learn to become s barber in other cultures, this is not the case in Hausa culture. Wanzanci is usually inherited and in most cases the speciality of certain families.
Wanzamai hardly ventures out of the occupation, with some spending up to 60 years in it.
Tools Needed by A Wanzami
Wanzamai can be seen walking around with their shiny leather bags. The Wanzami has all his tools in what is called a Zabira (toolkit). The main tool the wanzami uses for shaving the head is called the Aska ( local blade) The Askas are of various types, sizes and shapes depending on the nature of shaving to be done. Some can be small enough to trim the hairs in the nostrils.
Another tool Wanzami uses is the Kaho (horn), which is used for drawing blood and local cupping therapy. This is done to boost wellness as well as get rid of unwanted blood, increase blood circulation and blood flow as well as allow the creation of new blood cells. The wanzami also uses a small stone, soap for washing the hair before shaving, an aluminium cup, spirit, lighter, Makanna (manual clipper), cup, a stone, soap, spirit, lighter and many more peculiar items.
Other items used include the Yartsaga, a small razor used to make cuts, mawashi that is used to sharpen the blades. Cotton is also used, as well as a Jallo used to keep all hair. A matsefata is a small tool used to remove scars.
How Shaving is Done by The Wanzamai
Once a Wanzami sets out to shave, he first cleans the Aska using as well as use a lighter to kill germs just like when using clippers. The head of the person is then wetted with water, and the soap is rubbed all over.
The wanzan then gets to work, removing all hair in sight, depending on the nature of shave the person wants. After that, a small rag is used to clean the head.
The beards, moustache, sideburns and nostril hairs are also shaved depending on the customers’ preference.
How Kaho is Done
First, the horn is placed on a person’s body and blown. When it touches the skin, it is closed with the hands. After a while, the horn is then removed and a small razor is used to make a tiny incision. Once the sight is cleared, the horn is returned to draw out all the infected blood.
This is repeated several times until the wanzami is satisfied no infected blood is left. The spot is then cleaned with a ball of cotton wool and medicine is applied over it.
Medicine Given by The Wanzamai
Wanzamai have unique talents in identifying and giving out medicines. These drugs are in form of herbs, spices, ground plants or bark of trees. As wanzanci is inherited, no one truly knows the composition of most of these drugs except well-trained wanzamai.
Wanzamai give out medicine for tonsils, typhoid, rheumatism etc. They also help with cases of bedwetting.
How Does One Become a Wanzami?
A person intending to become a wanzan has to undergo rigorous training and gain experience. A typical training lasts between 6 months to two years. Those wishing to specialize in other fields like circumcision last even longer.
The training enables them to learn how to shave without shaking hands, how to prepare medicine, amongst others. This is important to avoid mistakes in the work, as a small cut can prove fatal.
Not everyone can become a wanzam however. Only those who have the wanzamai blood in them, or inherited from their ancestors can become. In most cases, they are sometimes ordained by the Sarkin Wanzamai, the king of wanzamai.
On average, N100-300 is charged per shave, depending on the location.
Special Skills of Wanzamai
More experienced wanzami also have an edge over amateur ones. For instance, an experienced wanzami can perform a bloodless circumcision or a long-distance one! Their services are more efficient too.
During their rituals and festivals, wasan aska where they showcase their talents and skills to the audience. A drummer and a singer are used to attract more audience.
Why the Wanzamci Occupation is Dying
While the Wanzami has mostly adapted to the use of modern technology, the risk of diseases makes people frequent them less. Diseases like Hepatitis, HIV and other communicable diseases can be picked up from a wanzam.
Even though most wanzamai now use razor blades instead of aska, and replace their manual clipper with a modern one, some unhygienic practices persist. The sterilizing of instruments and the use of individual clippers also helps.
Health experts warn that life-threatening ailments can be gotten, or cases of severe bleeding while circumcision. The drugs they administer are also not safe, as they are said to cause kidney failure.
These, however, does not deter the elderly, who are frequent visitors to the wanzamai. Many old people prefer a traditional clean shave from the wanzami than in a barbershop.
Conclusion
While wanzanci is an important traditional occupation in Hausaland and northern Nigeria, it is important to modernize the craft to go along with modern standards. Wanzamai should also be sensitized to the effects of some of the unhygienic practices. They should also be supported with the necessary tools and equipment to help them continue providing essential services, most especially to people in rural areas.
The wanzamai should not be allowed to get extinct.
Innocence is usually associated with purity and sweetness. Innocent people are perceived as been kind and in some ways shy while being slightly oblivion to the dark side.
So, are you innocent or not?
Just how innocent are you also?
Take the quiz now!
1. Do you look forward to horror/mystery movies?
2. Do you use foul language such as cusses when you’re upset even if it’s silently?
3. During your teenage years, have you owned a phone that would have gotten you in big time trouble had your parent caught a wind of it?
4. Have you familiarize yourself with Fifty Shades of Grey in any of it forms (books/movies)?
5. Which do you prefer, Justin Bieber of J.Cole?
6. Do you ever imagine what it would have been like if you were to be the opposite of who you currently are?
7. Have you ever done drugs even if it were a huff by mistake/temptation/challenge?
8. Have you ever conspired against someone?
9. Do you encourage your friends to take revenge on something bad done to them?
10. Do you always have dirty and sinister thoughts?
Are You Innocent or Not? Take This Quiz to Find Out
Absolutely Yes!
You are an innocent angelic person. You can't even hurt a fly.
Who knows?
Your personality alternates between being innocent and being a bad guy.
Can never be me!
You're a total badass and a naughty person. I hail oo!
Take a quiz down memory lane, see if you were familiar with these items in your childhood. If you remember these items correctly, go get married. Like…Now!
1. Do you grow up seeing this torch in your house?
Correct!Wrong!
2. Did you play with this toy?
Correct!Wrong!
3. Have you used this before?
Correct!Wrong!
4. Did you have this TV back then?
Correct!Wrong!
5. Do you know what's going on here?
Correct!Wrong!
6. Do you know these hairstyles?
Correct!Wrong!
7. Have you used this book in your childhood?
Correct!Wrong!
8. Have you ever bought something with these coins?
So there’s this guy in my life whose presence is ughhh!!… For the ladies, I’m sure you get it! How to know if you have feelings for him.
Sometimes I just want to disappear a bit from his circumference, other times, It feels those childish moments should last an eternity…Well, I need not say much… Let’s find out what you feel for him shall we.!
Here are some Karin Magana (Hausa Proverbs) that will get you rolling on the floor without even knowing because of laughter. You could even have your eyes full of tears because of the joy they carry along. Sit back, relax, and go through them one after the other.
A Collection of Funny Hausa Proverbs (Karin Magana)
Abin ba dadi, mahaukaci ya tauna kasha.
Kowa ya ci zomo ya ci gudu.
Dan masara ana goyon ka kana gemu.
Dama yaya lafiyar kura balle tayi hauka.
Daminan bana ba kamar ta bara ba, kwado ya fada ruwan zafi.
Da sauran tsalle an daura wa kwado garwashi.
Da ganin dan kunama zai yi harbi.
Abin da sake, an bai wa mai kaza kai.
Abin da sake an bai wa mai rogo bawo.
Da haka muka fara, kuturu yaga mai kyasbi.
Da kyar na kai yafi da kyar aka kamani.
Da na gaba ake gane zurfin ruwa.
Da muguwar rawa, gwamma kin tashi.
Da sanin ango aka yi wa ‘yan buki duka.
Da sannu auduga zai zama zare.
Da ganin kura kasan zata ci akuya.
Kora da hali ya fi kora da sanda.
Kowa ya hau motan kwadayi, a tashar wulakanci za’a sauke shi.
Abin mamaki furar sayarwa a akushi.
Abin mamaki kare da tallan tsire.
Abin mamaki mai gari gwauro talaka da mata hudu.
Abin mamaki matar falke ta haifi jaki.
Abin nema ya samu, matar falke ta haifi jaki.
Abin nema ya samu, matar dan sanda ta haifi barawo.
Abin ya girma, kashe kwarkwata da tabarya.
Abin rabo ne, kuturu ya kama tarwada.
A daga sama an yi wa wada sata.
Aikin banza jefa agwagwa a ruwa.
Aikin banza zani da aljuhu.
Aikin banza bille a ciki.
Aikin banza talaka ya grime sarki.
Aikin banza yin kiba a kunne.
Aikin banza kiwon makahon kare.
Aikin banza kare da gudun laya.
Aikin banza sauri ba wurin zuwa.
Aikin banza makaho da waiwaye.
Aikin banza harara a duhu.
Akuya ko bata haihuwa tafi kare.
Allah Ya bamu lafiya baba yaga tsirara.
Allah Ya tsare gatari ga noma.
Allah Ya hada mu da mai son mu koda mugune.
Allah Ya kawo kudi talauci ya ji kunya.
Ana babbakar giwa wa ke ta zomo?
Ana rabaka da kiwon akuya kana kyalla ta haihu.
Ana son wawa, haihuwarsa ne ba’a so.
Ana yabon ka sallah, ka kasa alwala.
Anyi ba’a yi ba ba ance tsirkiyada fatan kunkuru.
Arha cefane kunu daga ruwa sai tsamiya.
Arha kamar jamfa a Jos.
Arha maganin mai wayo.
Iya yi ci-rani ba miji.
Arha wanzami ya samu kan mai saiko.
A rashin sani bako ya sha ruwan wanka.
A ruwa ake dadewa ba a wuta ba.
Arziki rigar kaya kana ja yana ja.
Arziki rigar kaya ga dadi ga suka.
An sha ruwan gwangwala a kara tsayi.
“A yi abunda za’a yi” ramamme ya zagi maye.
“Ba samun duniya ba” wurin da za’a zauna a ji shine injin dan tsako.
Ba’a hada gudu da susan duwawu.
Ba shiga ba fita an ba mahaukaciya tsaron kofa.
Bako ba sallama wawa ne.
Banga alama ba, ance wa kuturu ya gama lafiya.
Banza a banza kare a karofi.
Banza girman mahaukaci, karami mai hankali ya fishi.
Ciwon da kare yayi idan dan akuya ne sai wuka.
Dan banza yashi ne ko an dunkula shi baya dunkuluwa.
Dole ne zuwa biki da muni.
Don kai ake hula, har kunne ya samu.
Duniya ba gaskiya, barawo ya rasa shaida.
Duk daya ne, makaho yayi dare.
Duk daya ne, mara sallah ya je gidan bamaguje.
Duk tashin tsuntsu, sai sama ta ga bayan shi.
Ga ni ga Allah barawo a hannun mata.
Gwamma barnar ruwa da na wuta.
Haka da nade-nade, dan wake ya ga tubani.
Hakorin dariya shi ke cizo.
Hauka dangi-dangi, kowa da irin nasa.
Icen taba Allah na ruwa tana bushewa.
Idan kai na da tsoka, kowa ya taba ya ji.
In ba karamabani ba, me ya kai doki mahauta?
In ana son ka da laifi, ko ruwa ka ashiga sai a ce ka tada kura.
In ka na son sauri aiki yaro inda yake so.
In maciji ya sari mutum, in ya ga tsumma sai ya gudu.
In makaho yace a yi wasan jifa, ya taka dutse ne.
“Jiki magayi” shan tabar mai koyo.
Jin labarin gwani, ya fi ganin raggo.
Ka so makiyinka, sai ya rasa mafita.
Ka kiyayi furfura, ko da ta arne ce.
Karshen lalacewa, namiji da guda.
Karambanin bako a kori barawo ya kai gudummawa.
Kidan jajibiri baya tada hankalin kare.
Komai dadin guda, ba a yi ma asara.
Kowa da irin kiwon da ya karbe shi makwabcin mai akuya ya sayi kura.
Komai ramar giwa ta fi kwando goma.
Komai ya ji ban da barkono a ido.
Kowa ya hadiye tabarya, ya kwana a tsaye.
Kowa ya raina gajere bai taka kunama ba.
Kowa ya goya kare ya san yadda zai yi da bakin.
Maganin biri, karen maguzawa.
Mai cinikin shan zuma, in reshe bai karye da shi ba, kwarya ta fashe masa.
Ba ji ba gani auren kurma da makaho.
I hope you enjoyed your reading. I can trust you couldn’t help but laugh so hard. You could tell us more in the comments section.
